in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.
You can drive in reverse gear at a speed
of up to 9 mph (15 km/h).XDepress the brake pedal.XPress the release button ( Y page 76) to
disengage the gear selector lever lock.XMove the gear selector lever to reverse
gear R.
R appears in the transmission position
indicator.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
Parking
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement can cause serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always
do the following before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle:
R Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When parked on an incline, always turn
the front wheels towards the curb.
R Turn the key to starter switch position 0
and remove the key from the starter
switch.
R Take the key with you and lock the vehicle
when leaving.
GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and
steering* systems. In this case, it is
important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Adapt your driving accordingly.
XProperly stop and park the vehicle.XDepress the brake pedal.XEngage the parking brake ( Y page 77).
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning
lamp 0027 (USA only) or 004D (Canada
only) in the instrument cluster comes on.XRelease the brake pedal.
Parking brake
The parking brake serves to secure the
vehicle against rolling away when it is
stationary or parked.
GWarning!
Engaging the parking brake while the
vehicle is in motion can cause the rear
wheels to lock up. You could lose control of
the vehicle and cause an accident. In
addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
XReleasing: Depress the brake pedal.XPull up slightly on parking brake
lever 0046 and press release button 0047.Driving and parking77>> Controls.* optional451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 77Z
Effect003ADrive position
The transmission shifts
automatically.009CManual gearshifting
System-controlled automatic
gearshifting is switched off.
The driver has to change the
gears manually.
The current gear selector lever position
appears in the transmission position
indicator ( Y page 85).
Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttleearlier upshiftingMore throttlelater upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
XPress the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.XEase up on the accelerator pedal when you
have reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.
Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic
lights:
XLeave the transmission in gear.XHold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period with the
engine idling and/or on a hill:
XEngage the parking brake.XMove the gear selector lever to park
position P.
Working on the vehicle
GWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and move the gear selector
lever to park position P. Otherwise the
vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Driving on uphill grades
Your vehicle has a hill‑start assist system.
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not
designed to function as a parking brake and
does not prevent the vehicle from moving
when parked on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting to park position P.
On uphill grades the hill‑start assist
system maintains the pressure in the brake
system for approximately one second after
you have released the brake pedal.
Therefore, you can start off smoothly
without the vehicle moving immediately
after releasing the brake pedal.
XRelease the brake pedal.XApply sufficient pressure to the
accelerator pedal.
! After approximately one second, the
hill‑start assist system stops braking
the vehicle, which then can roll
backwards. If you open the driver’s door
within this time, the hill‑start assist
system is deactivated and a warning
signal sounds.
i The hill‑start assist system is inactive
if you start off with the parking brake
engaged.
Transmission81>> Controls.451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 81Z
008AFuel filler cap0088Fuel type label0086HolderXTurn off the engine.XRemove the key from the starter switch.XOpen the fuel filler flap by pulling at the
point indicated by arrow 0046.XTurn fuel filler cap 008A counterclockwise
and hold on to it until possible pressure
is released.XTake off fuel filler cap 008A.
!
The fuel filler cap is tethered to the
fuel filler flap. Do not drop the fuel
filler cap. It could damage the vehicle
paint finish.
XInsert fuel filler cap 008A in direction of
arrow 0047 into holder 0086 on the inside of
the fuel filler flap.XFully insert filler nozzle unit and
refuel.XOnly fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out — do not top off or overfill .GWarning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
XReplace fuel filler cap 008A.XTurn fuel filler cap 008A clockwise until
the handle grip overturns.
i Make sure to close the fuel filler flap
before locking the vehicle as the fuel
filler flap locking pin prevents closing
after you have locked the vehicle.
XClose the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
i Only use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating of
91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
Please contact gas station personnel in
case labels on the pump cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see
“Premium unleaded gasoline”
( Y page 207) and “Fuel requirements”
( Y page 208), or contact an authorized
smart center.
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements of operating agents, see
“Service fluids and capacities”
( Y page 204).
Check the following:
R Engine oil level ( Y page 108)
R Tire inflation pressure ( Y page 116)
R Coolant level ( Y page 111)
R Vehicle lighting ( Y page 164)
R Windshield washer system ( Y page 112)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 113)
Engine compartment
Engine compartment cover
Open the engine compartment cover to
check the engine oil level and if necessary,
to add engine oil.
GWarning!
High outside temperature, stop-and-go
traffic, driving on long uphill grades or
driving at high engine speed may increase
the temperature in the engine
compartment. Therefore, the engine
compartment cover and parts in the area
around the engine compartment cover may
be hot. Parts of the engine can become very
hot. To prevent burns, let the engine cool
off completely before touching the engine
Engine compartment107>> Operation.451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 107Z
Checking brake fluid levelXPerform a visual check of the brake fluid
reservoir 0046.
The brake fluid level is correct when it
is between the minimum mark and the
maximum mark.
R If the brake fluid level has fallen
slightly below the minimum mark,
drive to an authorized smart center.
R If the brake fluid level has fallen
significantly below the minimum
mark, call Roadside Assistance or an
authorized smart center.XRemount the service flap and close it
( Y page 110).
Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized smart center for
information on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice
concerning tire service and purchase.
GWarning!
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part. For further
information contact an authorized smart
center. If incorrectly sized rims and tires
are mounted, the wheel brakes or
suspension components can be damaged.
Also, the operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
GWarning!
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage,
replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
smart wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly
an accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by smart, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.GWarning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has
occurred, you should turn on the hazard
warning flashers, carefully slow down, and
drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest authorized smart center or tire
dealer for repairs.
GWarning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire
affects the ability to steer or brake the
vehicle. You could lose control of the
vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire
or driving at high speed with a flat tire
will cause excessive heat build-up and
possibly a fire.
Modifications to the brake system and
wheels and the use of brake dust rings are
not permissible.
Important guidelines
R Only use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
R Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
R Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
R Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause
114Tires and wheels>> Operation.
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smart because of the possibility of
incompatibility between materials used in
the production process and others applied
later.
We have selected vehicle-care products
and compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain smart approved vehicle-
care products at an authorized smart
center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion
or damage due to negligent or incorrect
care cannot always be removed or repaired
with the vehicle-care products
recommended here. In such cases it is best
to seek aid at an authorized smart center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important“how-to” information as well as references
to smart approved vehicle-care products.
Vehicle care
Contact an authorized smart center for
recommended and approved care products.
i Advice on caring for the soft top
system, see ( Y page 145).
GWarning!
After washing the vehicle, the brakes may
still be wet and thus their functionality
impaired. Therefore, when you start off,
brake lightly several times without
endangering traffic.
! To avoid damage to interior equipment and materials: Never rub roughly or use
cleaning spirits on the cloth upholstery, never use strong agents, stain remover etc.
on the leather upholstery. Never scour ore use solvent on plastic parts. Never use strong
and aggressive agents on windows, do not touch the inside of the windows with hard
objects such as an ice scraper or ring, doing so may damage the windows.InteriorSpecial
considerationsLight soilingHeavy soilingCloth upholsteryUse a clean, lint-
free clothLight soap sudsStain remover (test
on an inconspicuous
place first)Plastic partsUse a color-fast
clothDamp, clean cloth,
cockpit sprayDamp, clean cloth,
cockpit sprayLeather upholsteryUse a clean, color-
fast clothClean cloth with
lukewarm water,
leather care
productLeather care
productWindowsDamp, clean cloth,
microfiber cloth,
glass cleanerMicrofiber cloth,
glass cleaner142Vehicle care>> Operation.
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Fuse chart No.Accessory/ComponentAmperageColor0046Engine25 ANeutral0047Windshield wipers25 ANeutral008APower window, left and right20 AYellow0088Blower25 ANeutral0086Front fog lamps10 ARed0087Right parking lamp, license plate lamps7.5 ABrown006ELeft parking lamp7.5 ABrown006FEngine25 ANeutral0070Engine7.5 ABrown0071Engine15 ABlue0072ESP®25 ANeutral0073Switches strip, on-board diagnostics socket, turn
signal lamps, transmission control unit, exterior
lamp switch10 ARed0074Spare fuse (without function)15 ABlue0075Charge air cooler, air conditioning compressor15 ABlue0076Audio, subwoofer, interior lighting, soft top
(cabriolet only)15 ABlue0077Fuel pump15 ABlue0078Rear window wiper (coupé only)15 ABlue0079ESP ®
, EPS*, air bag, instrument cluster10 ARed007AEngine control unit, on-board diagnostics socket,
transmission control unit7.5 ABrown007BAir conditioning system, exterior rear view mirror
adjustment, washer pump, audio, seat heating, gear
selector lever control unit, wiper switch10 ARed007CAuxiliary power outlet, cigarette lighter15 ABlue007DLeft low‑beam headlamp7.5 ABrown007ERight low‑beam headlamp7.5 ABrown007FBrake lamps, rain-light sensor*15 ABlue192Fuses>> Practical hints.* optional451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 192